Frankline Kibet Wins Kenya's First Medal as Marta Alemayo Joins Faith Kipyegon in Elite Club in Junior Category

Frankline Kibet secured Kenya's first individual medal in the men's junior race at the as Ethiopia's Marta Alemayo defended her title at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.

The women’s under-20 6km and men’s under-20 8km races at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida were won by Marta Alemayo and Frankline Kibet, respectively.

In the women’s race, all eyes were on defending champion Marta Alemayo to make a mark. The Ethiopian was just 15 years old when she won in Belgrade.

In the men’s race, with the absence of defending champion Samuel Kibathi, the race was open to anyone to make a mark.

World Athletics Cross Country Championships: Women’s Under-20 6km

Passing the 1km mark, Marta Alemayo had already made her intentions clear, as she was leading. Her compatriot, Yenenesh Shimket, was running slightly behind her.

Cynthia Chepkirui was running in fifth, breaking the Ethiopian chain. Uganda’s Charity Cherop was also in the lead.

Passing the second lap, Marta Alemayo was still leading the charge, with another Ethiopian, Wosane Asefa, now running behind her. Cynthia Chepkirui was running in third place in the race.

Marta Alemayo was still in the lead, with Cynthia Chepkirui now having climbed up to second place and was looking poised as they passed the 3km mark.

The race intensified with the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Ugandans all going for the medal hunt. However, Marta Alemayo still looked unchallenged.

Passing the 5km mark, Alemayo was still in the lead, with Cynthia Chepkirui on her neck, looking to end Ethiopia’s reign over the distance. Asefa Wosane was in third place, but also targeting the silver medal.

Marta Alemayo emerged as the eventual winner of the race, crossing the finish line in 18:52, with Charity Cherop of Uganda coming in second in the race. Wosane Asefa rounded up the podium as Cynthia Chepkirui finished fourth.

World Athletics Cross Country Championships: Men’s Under-20 8km

Edwin Elkana and Emmanuel Kiprono were running in the lead, passing the 1km mark. The Kenyan trio of Emmanuel Kiprono, Frankline Kibet and Brian Kiptarus was following closely.

Reigning world under-20 5000m champion Andrew Alamisi, a favourite to medal, was running in sixth place. Passing the second kilometre, Belgium’s Willem Renders had gone to the front, running with the Kenyan pack. Uganda’s Dan Kipyeko was the first Ugandan in the race, running just behind the leading pack.

At the 4 km mark, Andrew Kiptoo took the lead once again, leading the Kenyan quartet now, with Uganda’s Jeremiah Kwemoi running just behind them.

Uganda's Abraham Cherotich took the lead, passing the 5km mark, with Emmanuel Kiprono now on his neck. Brian Kiptarus and Frankline Kibet were also in the group.

Andrew Alamisi was running in fifth place. Emmanuel Kiprono had now regained the lead, passing the 6km mark, with Frankline Kibet running in second. Andrew Alamisi had since climbed to third place.

Passing the 7km mark, Emmanuel Kiprono maintained his lead, with not much changed, as Andrew Alamisi was still running in third place. Frankline Kibet held on to claim the top honours in 23.18.

Emmanuel Kiptoo and Andrew Alamisi finished second and third in respective times of 23.20 and 23.28, ensuring the title remains in Kenya for the third consecutive year.